Ian Falconer, author of children’s book ‘Olivia,’ dies | Entertainment

NORWALK, Conn. (AP) — Ian Woodward Falconer, the author and illustrator best known for his “Olivia” series of children’s books, has died.

Falconer died of natural causes Tuesday along with his family in Norwalk, Connecticut, said Conrad M. Rippy, an attorney and representative for Falconer. He is 63 years old.

Falconer’s “Olivia” series of books features a clever pig named Olivia, a character he created for his little niece in 1996. Family and friends encouraged him to continue shaping the role.

He turned down publishers who wanted texts written by outside authors. “I’m afraid my vanity will not allow me to reduce myself to ‘illustrator’,” he said. “I also think my instincts about the story, if unpolished, were correct and happened organically with the picture.”

The first book in the series, titled Olivia, was published in 2000 and remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over a year, was awarded a Caldecott Honor and sold more than 10 million copies.

He wrote and illustrated seven sequels, the last being 2017’s Olivia the Spy.

In 2022, he published a new children’s book “Two Dogs”.he tell national public radio Last year, the characters, a pair of dachshunds named Perry and Augie, were inspired by his nephews.

Falconer is also a set and costume designer for ballet and opera companies around the world, including numerous productions for the New York City Ballet. He also created 30 magazine covers for The New Yorker.

Born August 25, 1969 in Richfield, Connecticut, Falconer studied art history at New York University for two years before enrolling as a painter at Parsons School of Design. He transferred to the Otis Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles and began working with artist David Hockney, helping him with stage opera designs.

Falconer is survived by his mother Sandy and sisters Tonia and Tory, and nieces and nephews Olivia, Ian, August, Perry and Will.

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